The Colorado Avalanche face the Dallas Stars tonight for Game 1 of the teams’ NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs second round series. The Stars enter the game after a quick turnaround following their seven-game Round 1 series against the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Keep reading for all the ways you can watch the Avalanche vs. Stars in the second round of the NHL Playoffs.

How and when to watch the Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars NHL Playoffs Game 1

Game 1 of the Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs series will be played on May 7, 2024 at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT). The game will air on ESPN and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.

How to watch the Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars Game 1 without cable

If your cable subscription doesn’t carry ESPN, or you’ve cut the cord with your cable company, you can still watch the playoffs. Below are the platforms on which you can watch the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs without cable. 

Sling TV: The most cost-effective way to stream the Avalanche vs. Stars game

If you don’t have cable and you want to watch the NHL Playoffs, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream playoff games is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch hockey in the postseason, you’ll need a subscription to the Orange + Blue tier. Also worth noting: Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud-based DVR recording space included, perfect for recording today’s championship game.

Sling’s Orange + Blue tier costs $60 per month, but the platform is currently offering $25 off the first month of any pricing tier, making the Orange + Blue tier $35 for the first month. You can cancel anytime.

Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:

• There are 46 channels to watch in total, including ABC, NBC and Fox (where available).
• You get access to NHL games airing on TNT and TBS, which Fubo doesn’t carry.
• All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

Watch the Avalanche vs. Stars game for free with Fubo

You can today’s game on Fubo. Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to access to local network affiliates, ESPN and more. To watch the NHL Playoffs without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NHL hockey, you’ll have access to NFL football, MLB, NBA, NASCAR, MLS and international soccer games. Fubo’s Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.

Sports fans will want to consider adding on the $7.99 per month Fubo Extra package, which includes MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, SEC Network and more channels with live games. Or upgrade to the Fubo Elite tier and get all the Fubo Extra channels, plus the ability to stream in 4K, starting at $90 per month ($70 for the first month).

Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:

• There are no contracts with Fubo, you can cancel anytime.
• The Pro tier includes over 190 channels, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 
• Fubo includes most channels you’ll need to watch live sports, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
• All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
• Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.

Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle: Watch the Avalanche vs. Stars game live for free

You can watch this year’s playoffs with the Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle. The bundle features 95 channels, including ABC, TNT, TBS, local network affiliates and ESPN. It also includes the ESPN+ streaming service. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch the 2024 NHL Playoffs, MLB this season and network-aired NFL games next season with Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle.

Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It’s priced at $77 per month after a three-day free trial.

See the latest NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs gear at Fanatics

Rooting from home is more fun while repping your team with the latest NHL fan gear. Fanatics is our first stop for the newest NHL fan gear, our go-to for the latest drop of NHL Playoffs and NHL Finals merch like jerseys, commemorative T-shirts, hats and more. Fanatics also has just-released NFL Draft jerseys, like No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams‘ new Chicago Bears jersey. 

2024 NHL Playoffs: Full schedule

The second round of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs is a best-of-seven series beginning on May 5, 2024.

Second round schedule

Below is the schedule for the second round of the 2024 NHL Playoffs. All times Eastern.

Eastern Conference

(1) New York Rangers vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

Game 1: | Rangers 4, Hurricanes 3 | Recap
Game 2: | Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m. | at NY | TV: ESPN
Game 3: | Thursday, May 9 7 p.m. | at CAR | TV: TNT
Game 4: | Saturday, May 11, TBD | at CAR | TV: TNT
Game 5*: | Monday, May 13, TBD | at NY | TV: TBD
Game 6*: | Thursday, May 16, TBD | at CAR | TV: TBD
Game 7*: | Saturday, May 18, TBD | at NY | TV: TBD

(1) Florida Panthers vs. (2) Boston Bruins

Game 1: | Bruins 5, Panthers 1
Game 2: | Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. | at FLA | TV: ESPN
Game 3: | Friday, May 10 7 p.m. | at BOS | TV: TNT
Game 4: | Sunday, May 12, TBD | at BOS | TV: TBS
Game 5*: | Tuesday, May 14, TBD | at FLA | TV: TBD
Game 6*: | Friday, May 17, TBD | at BOS | TV: TBD
Game 7*: | Sunday, May 19, TBD | at FLA | TV: TBD

Bruins currently lead 1-0

Western Conference

(1) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

Game 1: | Tuesday, May 7, 9:30 p.m. | at DAL | TV: ESPN
Game 2: | Thursday, May 9, 9:30 p.m. | at DAL | TV: TNT
Game 3: | Saturday, May 11 7 p.m. | at COL | TV: TNT
Game 4: | Monday, May 13, TBD | at COL | TV: ESPN
Game 5*: | Wednesday, May 15, TBD | at DAL | TV: TBD
Game 6*: | Friday, May 17, TBD | at COL | TV: TBD
Game 7*: | Sunday, May 19, TBD | at DAL | TV: TBD

(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: | Wednesday, May 8, 10 p.m. | at VAN | TV: ESPN
Game 2: | Friday, May 10, 10 p.m. | at VAN | TV: TNT
Game 3: | Sunday, May 12 7 p.m. | at EDM | TV: TBS
Game 4: | Tuesday, May 14, TBD | at EDM | TV: ESPN
Game 5*: | Thursday, May 16, TBD | at VAN | TV: TBD
Game 6*: | Saturday, May 18, TBD | at EDM | TV: TBD
Game 7*: | Monday, May 20, TBD | at VAN | TV: TBD

First round results

Below are the scores for the first round of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(1) New York Rangers vs. (WC2) Washington Capitals

Game 1: | Rangers 4, Capitals 1 | Recap
Game 2: | Rangers 4, Capitals 3 | Recap
Game 3: | Rangers 3, Capitals 1 | Recap
Game 4: | Rangers 4, Capitals 2 | Recap

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New York Islanders

Game 1: | Hurricanes 3, Islanders 1 | Recap
Game 2: | Hurricanes 5, Islanders 3 | Recap
Game 3: | Hurricanes 3, Islanders 2 | Recap
Game 4: | Islanders 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT) | Recap
Game 5: | Hurricanes 6, Islanders 3 | Recap

(1) Florida Panthers vs. (WC1) Tampa Bay Lightning

Game 1: | Panthers 3, Lightning 2 | Recap
Game 2: | Panthers 3, Lightning 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: | Panthers 5, Lightning 3 | Recap
Game 4: | Lightning 6, Panthers 3 | Recap
Game 5: | Panthers 6, Lightning 1 | Recap

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs

Game 1: | Bruins 5, Maple Leafs 1 | Recap
Game 2: | Maple Leafs 3, Bruins 2 | Recap
Game 3: | Bruins 4, Maple Leafs 2 | Recap
Game 4: | Bruins 3, Maple Leafs 1 | Recap
Game 5: | Maple Leafs 2, Bruins 1 (OT) | Recap
Game 6: | Maple Leafs 2, Bruins 1| Recap
Game 7: | Bruins 2, Maple Leafs 1 (OT) | Recap

Western Conference

(1) Dallas Stars vs. (WC2) Vegas Golden Knights

Game 1: | Golden Knights 4, Stars 3 | Recap
Game 2: | Golden Knights 2, Stars 1 | Recap
Game 3: | Stars 3, Golden Knights 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: | Stars 4, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 5: | Stars 3, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 6: | Golden Knights 2, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 7: | Stars 2, Golden Knights 1| Recap

(2) Winnipeg Jets vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

Game 1: | Jets 7, Avalanche 6 | Recap
Game 2: | Avalanche 5, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 3: | Avalanche 6, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 4: | Avalanche 5, Jets 1 | Recap
Game 5: | Avalanche 6, Jets 3 | Recap

(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (WC1) Nashville Predators

Game 1: | Canucks 4, Predators 2 | Recap
Game 2: | Predators 4, Canucks 1 | Recap
Game 3: | Canucks 2, Predators 1 | Recap
Game 4: | Canucks 4, Predators 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: | Predators 2, Canucks 1 | Recap
Game 6: | Canucks 1, Predators 0 | Recap

(2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (3) Los Angeles Kings

Game 1: | Oilers 7, Kings 4 | Recap
Game 2: | Kings 5, Oilers 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: | Oilers 6, Kings 1 | Recap
Game 4: | Oilers 1, Kings 0 | Recap
Game 5: | Oilers 4, Kings 3 | Recap

When are the NHL Stanley Cup Finals?

The Stanley Cup Final is currently scheduled to begin on June 3, 2024. That date could change based on the duration of the Stanley Cup Conference finals.